Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY

01/16/2026

January 17: The Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot

Dear Beloved in Christ,

The feast day of the Father of Monasticism draws us into the wisdom of a soul who learned to listen deeply to God. Living in the stillness of the Egyptian desert, Saint Anthony discovered that true freedom is found not in possessing much, but in surrendering everything to the Lord. His life was not an escape from the world, but a loving offering for it—a witness that the human heart is made for God alone.

Saint Anthony's holiness was formed in silence, prayer, and perseverance. In the simplicity of his days, he waged a courageous battle against fear, temptation, and distraction, trusting wholly in God's grace. When he distributed his inheritance to the poor and withdrew to the desert around 270 AD, he modeled a radical response to Christ's call to perfection. The Church honors him because his way of life reminds us that intimacy with God is possible for every soul, not through great achievements, but through faithfulness in small, hidden acts of love.

The Desert Fathers understood their solitude as intercession for the Church and the world. Through their prayers and penances, they stood in solidarity with all humanity, offering their suffering for the redemption of souls. In an age of constant distraction, Saint Anthony's example invites us to examine our attachments and idols, calling us to spiritual vigilance against the "demons of the age"—pride, lust, greed, and envy.

As we celebrate his feast today, we join the universal Church across centuries in honoring this saint and invoking his intercession. We are invited to step back from the noise of our lives, to rest in God's presence, and to rediscover the quiet joy that comes from placing our hearts entirely in His care. May the example of Saint Anthony strengthen our resolve to seek first the kingdom of God, knowing that in losing ourselves, we truly find ourselves in Christ.

May peace be with you...

01/15/2026

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Dear Beloved in Christ,

This Holy day is a gentle and luminous moment in the life of the Church. In it, we are invited to imagine standing quietly on the banks of the Jordan and behold a mystery filled with humility and love. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, steps into the waters not because He needs cleansing, but because He wishes to draw close to us—so close that He enters fully into the human condition. In doing so, He blesses the waters of the earth and reveals the tender heart of God, who desires to meet His children where they are.

As the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descends, the voice of the Father is heard proclaiming His delight in the Son. This moment, so simple yet so profound, is a gift to all humanity, and especially those of us in the Catholic faith. It reminds us that in our own baptism, we too were claimed, cherished, and named as His beloved sons and daughters. This Feast tenderly brings the Christmas season to its close, turning our eyes from His wonderous birth in the manger to the unfolding of His mission of love and mercy. And so, the Baptism of the Lord is an invitation to remember who we are in Christ—and to walk forward with trust, knowing that we, too, are held in the loving gaze of the Father.

May peace be with you...

01/06/2026

The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Dear Beloved in Christ,

On January 6, the Church lifts her eyes in wonder and joy to celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, which commemorates the manifestation of Christ to the nations, represented by the visit of the Magi. It proclaims that Jesus is not only the Messiah of Israel, but the Savior of the world.

In the humble visit of the Magi, guided only by a star and an aching desire for truth, we see the fulfillment of God’s promise: that the light born in Bethlehem is not meant to be hidden, but offered to the whole world, for the Epiphany speaks tenderly to every searching heart: The Magi were outsiders—foreigners, seekers, pilgrims—yet they were welcomed into the presence of the Christ Child. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh quietly proclaim that Jesus is King, God, and sacrificial Savior.

This feast reminds us that no one is too far away, too different, or too lost to be drawn by God’s light. As the Christmas season reaches its radiant fullness, Epiphany invites us not only to adore Christ, but to become reflections of His light for others—so that, through our lives, the world may glimpse the mercy and glory of God.

May peace be with you...

01/06/2026

Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen

Dear Beloved in Christ,

On January 2, our Church warmly invites us to sit at the feet of two holy teachers, Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, whose lives were given entirely to the love of God and the truth of the Gospel. These saints lived in a time of great confusion and division, when even the most central truths about Christ were questioned. With brilliant minds and humble hearts, they helped the Church clearly proclaim that Jesus is truly God, and that the Holy Spirit is fully divine—truths we continue to profess each time we pray the Creed.

Yet what makes this day so important is not only their intellect, but their holiness. Basil poured himself out in care for the poor, the sick, and the forgotten, founding hospitals and communities of mercy. Gregory, gentle and contemplative, suffered deeply for the sake of unity and truth, often misunderstood, yet always faithful. Together, they remind us that true wisdom is born from prayer, and that love for God must always overflow into love for neighbor. On this quiet day within the Christmas season, the Church thanks God for minds enlightened by grace and hearts formed by charity.

May peace be with you...

01/01/2026

The Feast Day of the Solemnity of Mary

Dear Beloved in Christ,

As we step into this bright new year, the Church places before us a sublime gift of incomparable grace. For this day is a profound proclamation of faith that touches the very heart of our salvation. On January 1, this octave day of Christmas (the eight-day liturgical celebration of Jesus' birth, starting on Christmas Day and ending on January 1st), our Church proclaims the precious truth that the child born of Mary is truly God. By honoring Mary as the Mother of God, we protect and celebrate the Incarnation itself, that the eternal Word entered human history through Mary's willing "Yes."

And how wise is the Church in placing Mary's greatest feast on New Year's Day! As the world speaks of resolutions, the Church invites us to begin our year beneath Mary's maternal gaze, entrusting us, and all that lies ahead, to her watchful care and intercession. May we take Mary into our hearts as we walk into 2026, for she walks with the faithful through every day, reminding us that we are never alone and that Christ is with us always. What a magnificent way to begin anew.

May peace be with you on this blessed day, and forever and ever....

12/31/2025

The Feast of Pope Saint Sylvester I

Dear Beloved in Christ,

As the final hours of the year gently unfold, we turn our gaze to Pope Saint Sylvester I, a humble and faithful shepherd who guided the Church through one of the most momentous and grace-filled chapters of her history.

Serving as Bishop of Rome from 314 to 335, Saint Sylvester witnessed the dawn of peace after centuries of persecution. Under his pastoral care, magnificent churches rose throughout Rome—visible signs that the light of Christ could no longer be hidden.

How beautifully providential that Saint Sylvester’s feast is celebrated on the very last day of the year. As we step into the new year, may we seek Saint Sylvester’s gentle intercession, that we too may be steadfast in faith, courageous in witness, and unwavering in our love for Christ. May we enter the days ahead with love in our hearts, trusting that Christ remains our foundation. With Him, we have nothing to fear and everything to hope for.

May peace be with you...

12/30/2025

The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Dear Beloved in Christ,

Let us begin by saying that we hope that you had a warm and loving Christmas!

In this Christmas season, this feast invites every Catholic heart to gaze with love upon the home of Nazareth and to see in it both a mystery and a mirror. In this quiet, hidden life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the Church recognizes the model and source of grace for every Christian family, however imperfect or wounded it may feel. On this feast, the Holy Family is not placed before us as an unreachable ideal, but as a tender reminder that holiness is lived in daily fidelity: in prayer, work, forgiveness, and mutual care, in trusting God when life is confusing, and in staying united even through trials like exile, fear, and uncertainty. The Church celebrates this day so that parents, children, grandparents, and all who long for a place to belong may remember that God dwells in the home that welcomes Him, and that every family, with God’s help, can become a “domestic church,” a sanctuary of love, mercy, and faith in the midst of our troubled world.

May peace be with you, and may the New Year bring all that your heart hopes for.

12/25/2025

Cardinal Dolan's Final Christmas Day Mass, 2025

Dear Beloved in Christ,

You may watch the Holy Mass here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe4OiQEg268

Good Christmas morning, and welcome to this most sacred celebration—a day of profound joy, peace, and heartfelt gratitude.
Today we gather to honor the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and to give thanks for 16 years of faithful, joyful, and steadfast service by His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan as Archbishop of New York.

Since his appointment in 2009, Cardinal Dolan has shepherded nearly 3 million Catholics across the five boroughs and far beyond, offering not only pastoral care but a spirit of genuine warmth, welcome, and pastoral love that has earned him the heartfelt admiration of the faithful across our diverse Archdiocese.

A Leader in Christian Action
In a city as vibrant and demanding as New York, Cardinal Dolan's leadership has exemplified Christianity in action—from blessing food for thousands of families so they could celebrate Thanksgiving with dignity, to joining community partners in serving those on the margins of our city. His commitment to works of mercy and charity exemplify the Church's sacred mission to serve the poorest and most vulnerable among us.

He has been an unwavering voice for the sanctity of all human life—from its beginning in the womb to its natural end—while simultaneously extending the Church's embrace in love and respect to all people: to immigrants seeking refuge in our City, to those of different faiths, reminding us that Christ Himself was once a migrant who knew the vulnerabilities of displacement.

National and International Leadership
His visionary leadership extended far beyond New York's borders. From 2010 to 2013, Cardinal Dolan served as President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, during which he strengthened the bishops' prophetic voice on vital moral and social issues. In this role and beyond, he has been the nation's most respected and courageous advocate for religious freedom—the first and most cherished of liberties. His decades-long commitment to this foundational right earned him the 2025 Canterbury Medal, religious liberty's highest honor.

Cardinal Dolan also served as Chairman of Catholic Relief Services, deepening the Church's global humanitarian mission, and has been a longtime member of the Board of Trustees of the Catholic University of America, helping to form generations of faithful Catholic leaders.

Stewardship and Vision
Through strategic planning processes like "Pathways to Excellence" and "Making All Things New," Cardinal Dolan thoughtfully reorganized the Archdiocese's schools and parishes to meet the needs of a changing New York while preserving the faith communities that sustain our neighborhoods. His leadership has guided our Archdiocese through historic challenges while maintaining the spiritual vitality that defines our mission.

Most recently, Cardinal Dolan spearheaded one of the greatest artistic commissions in St. Patrick's Cathedral's 176-year history: the monumental mural, "What's So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding?"—a powerful artistic interpretation of the Apparition at Knock that tells the story of New York's immigrants. This project, unveiled in September 2025, stands as a testament to Cardinal Dolan's commitment to seeing the sacred in the stories of our people.

A Shepherd in Times of Crisis
Cardinal Dolan has walked with us through profound trials. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he guided the Archdiocese with pastoral wisdom—complying with public health measures while pioneering the livestreaming of Holy Week Masses at St. Patrick's Cathedral, ensuring that no member of our flock would be spiritually abandoned during the global crisis. He oversaw the upgrading of ventilation systems that allowed our schools to reopen safely ahead of public institutions, demonstrating that faithful stewardship includes care for both body and soul.

He has given invocations at presidential inaugurations, welcomed Pope Francis during his historic 2015 visit to New York, and participated in two papal conclaves—in 2013 and again in 2025—where he helped elect the successors of Peter and helped shepherd the global Church through sacred transitions.

A Life of Service, A Legacy of Hope
Throughout his distinguished career—as Rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, as Archbishop of Milwaukee, and now as Archbishop of New York—Cardinal Dolan has earned numerous honors including the Isaiah Award for Exemplary Interreligious Leadership, the Visionary Leadership Award, the Spirit of Francis Award, and honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Notre Dame, Fordham University, and St. John's University—each recognition a testament to the respect and affection he commands across different faiths and cultures.

Yet the truest measure of his ministry is not in honors received but in the myriad hearts touched, families strengthened, and faith deepened.

A Christmas Prayer of Gratitude
We thank Cardinal Dolan for being present with us in times of both celebration and sorrow. He has inspired us with homilies of depth and heart, demonstrated the transformative power of faith lived with sincerity and warmth, and shown us daily what it means to be a shepherd after the heart of Christ.

As he enters this next chapter of his noble ministry, we celebrate his extraordinary accomplishments, his steadfast faith, and his unwavering hope—gifts that will continue to influence and inspire the Catholic community in New York, across our nation, and throughout the world.

May this Christmas Mass honor Christ's birth with reverence, joy, and love. May our hearts overflow with gratitude for a shepherd who has served us with uncommon compassion, prophetic courage, pastoral warmth, and deep, abiding faith.

Merry Christmas, Your Eminence—and thank you so very much for your selfless service to the flock entrusted to your care.

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12/25/2025

Pope Leo XIV’s First Midnight Mass, Christmas Eve 2025

Dear Beloved in Christ,

Welcome to this celebration of faith, hope, peace, and love.

You may watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX7yi7pTg7k

Before the sacred moment begins, we invite you to breathe deeply and open your heart to wonder.

Tonight’s celebration is a living testament to centuries of faith, hope, and joy — as the Church celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ in the hushed beauty of Christmas Midnight Mass.

On this holy night, in the heart of the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV — in his first Christmas as pontiff — leads the faithful in prayer and praise at St. Peter’s Basilica, where generations have gathered to honor the mystery of the Incarnation.

This Mass — known as Missa in Nocte — draws its grace from ancient tradition and the Gospel’s revelation: that in the stillness of night, a Savior is born, bringing light into our darkness and hope to every heart longing for peace.

As you watch, let the gentle sacred music, the whispered prayers, and the profound silence of this solemn liturgy draw you inward. Let your spirit be lifted by the timeless truth that God is with us — and that in every human heart lies a place made ready for love.

May peace be with you...

Video Credit: EWTN News

Follow LIVE with us from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican the Christmas Mass during the Night, also known as the “Midnight Mass”, presided over by Pope Le...

12/25/2025

King's College Choir, Cambridge, Nine Lessons and Carols 1992

Dear Beloved in Christ,

You may watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNg6Nv1Ey8Y&t=274s

Hailed worldwide for their luminous tone, spiritual depth, and peerless tradition, the voices of the King's College Choir have become synonymous with the spirit of Christmas

This tapestry of carols and choral masterpieces — each one is offered with reverence, grace, and the profound sense of celebration that this season inspires.

As these voices rise and fall, may you feel transported — connected to a lineage of listeners who, across centuries and lands, have heard these same strains with awe and joy.

As we approach the midnight hour, we invite you rest in beauty, to remember wonder, and to celebrate the gift of hope this season holds.

We wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas.

The Choir of King's College Cambridge, broadcast Christmas eve 1992. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Order of Service:1. Once in Royal David's City ...

12/19/2025

Cardinal Dolan's Mass on the First Sunday of Advent 2025

Dear Beloved in Christ,

You may watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q38km7LYxKE

This liturgy is not simply a broadcast of a beautiful church service from Saint Patrick's Cathedral; it is, in essence, an invitation into the heart of Advent itself — a time the Church sets aside each year to watch, to wait, and to prepare for the coming of our Savior.

Advent, from the Latin adventus, means “coming” or “arrival.” In this season we remember with joyful longing Jesus’ humble birth in Bethlehem, we look forward with hopeful expectation to His return at the end of time, and we open our hearts to His presence with us now in our daily lives.

This Mass, celebrated in one of the most beloved cathedrals in our nation, beautifully embodies these threefold dimensions of Advent. In the prayers, the Scripture proclaimed, and the sacred silence between them, we are drawn beyond mere sentiment into an encounter with the living Christ, who continues to come to us in Word and Sacrament. When we watch and pray with the Cathedral community, we are reminded that the Church universal — here in New York and throughout the world — is united in this joyful longing for God with us.

As Christmas draws nearer, the celebration of this Mass helps root our anticipation in the mystery of God’s love made flesh. We are invited to prepare not merely decorations or gifts, but our hearts — to receive Jesus with reverence, wonder, and peace. May watching this sacred liturgy deepen your hope, steady your faith, and draw you ever closer to the One whose birth we prepare to celebrate with joy next week.

May peace be with you...

Support St. Patrick's with a gift: https://qrs.ly/5cg79y0Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/?sub_confirmation=1St. Patrick’s Cathed...

12/18/2025

In this Season of Hope and Love, Faith Communities Unite to Help Manhattan's Homeless

In the holy season of Advent and Christmas, the Gospel compels Catholics to recognize Christ in the vulnerable. The Child Jesus was born without shelter and soon became a refugee, reminding us that God chose to enter the world among the poor and those without homes. More than 103,000 people now sleep in New York City shelters each night, including more than 35,000 children.

Several Christian faith communities have come together in a remarkable response to this escalating homeless crisis. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, St. Thomas Church, and City Relief—a faith-based mobile outreach nonprofit—have united to aid hundreds of homeless men, women, and children. Together, the four organizations provide nourishing meals, essential supplies, and direct access to vital social services.

Beyond meeting immediate needs, the coalition offers pathways to lasting stability by connecting the homeless to housing assistance, income support, and healthcare—addressing not only material deprivation but the deeper causes of homelessness.

This joint initiative carries particular spiritual meaning during the holy season of Advent, as it is a time of watchful waiting, repentance, and active charity—a season that calls us to prepare room for Christ not only in our hearts, but in the world around us. The Works of Mercy, central to Catholic social teaching, invite us to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and clothe the poor. This collaboration embodies those sacred duties in a concrete and compassionate way, standing as a powerful witness to this truth: when Christian communities act together in love, dignity is restored and hope is made visible. In serving those without homes, the Church and her partners proclaim the heart of Advent—Christ coming to meet those most in need.

Thank you to all who help in this noble effort, wherever you may live, as during the 2024–25 school year, more than 154,000 New York City public school students experienced homelessness--a record high; and the number of elderly homeless in New York is expected to nearly triple by 2030.

Read the Good Newsroom article here: https://thegoodnewsroom.org/new-york-city-faith.../